D'vorahDavida
Yetzirah

Frodo
Wed Nov 14 2007

While reading over at the Forums in Ravelry I ran into someone who was using this as their avatar:


Come to the
Dark Side


We have cookies


It made me smile. Thought I would pass it along.

Frodo is doing really well when he is in the house with us. He is not too rowdy. He stays out of things that don't belong to him.... [but woe to dog toys, he disects them with malice]... He hasn't had any potty accidents at all and is affectionate and sweet, if a little wary at times.

However. When he goes over to the playground and we let him loose to run with Sunny, he has gotten progressively out of control. He gets to running and barking and sort of zones out. He drools and yesterday he got to the point where he had lost all awareness of me or Daniel or Sunny for that matter. Daniel finally had to take Sunny home and I stayed for another 15 minutes or so trying to catch Frodo. We would still be there, but he finally wore himself to a standstill.

I felt so bad for him. From what I understand, for about three years he has mostly been in a dog run or a garage. And it looks like he has developed some obsessive compulsive disorder problems.

I talked at length with the Sheltie Rescue director last night, and she is going to get in touch with some people who deal with this kind of thing and hopefully I will get some pointers on what to do to help him.

It's almost like he has two personalities. Indoors with us, you could not ask for a sweeter dog.

But outdoors, when he gets stressed, he just has a mental meltdown.

It was painful to watch.

So this is where the rubber meets the road for me. I hope I have what it takes to rehabilitate this great dog. He deserves the best we can muster up for him.

Seems like he has already been to Mount Doom. He's paid his dues.

Now it's time to have a real life. Indoors AND out.

Which way to The Shire?







6 Comments
  • From:
    Allimom (Legacy)
    On:
    Wed Nov 14 2007
    Is Frodo getting any better at walking on a leash? If so, have you considering exercising him on-leash instead of off-leash? Perhaps work with him on running next to a bicycle? Until he gets over his freedom hysteria, this might be a better option than letting him run off-leash. This has the added benefit of wearing down his nails from running on a hard surface.

    If you were closer, I'd offer to have #3 come over and take Frodo out on his roller blades. This is how he wears Stormy out, he puts on his blades, takes her on the leash, and she pulls him until she is pooped!
    Alli
  • From:
    InStitches (Legacy)
    On:
    Wed Nov 14 2007
    I have consulted my maps of Middle Earth. It is difficult to determine the exact route. I do know you need to cross the Misty Mountains and heed the warnings to stay out of caves.

    I highly recommend you stop at Lothlorien to seek the counsel of Galadriel. She is very wise and her magic strong. I'm sure Frodo would find it most valuable.

    Remember the wisdom of Samwise. You will need plenty of snacks in your Hobbit Bag and don't forget to pack a rope. You never know when one will come in handy.




  • From:
    Pragmatist (Legacy)
    On:
    Wed Nov 14 2007
    Maybe, for awhile, he could have some doggie version of Valium? Until he can begin to cope with the whole outdoors?

    Poor guy being cooped up like that for so long! Just think it how would be finally to have freedom. I think I'd go kind of crazy!


    Bless
  • From:
    Welshamethyst (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Nov 15 2007
    Poor Frodo. It's so hard for them when they haven't had proper stimulation as puppies. I am firmly convinced that's where Maggie's few lingering problems come from as I got her when she was 10 months old, old enough for troubles to take a firm root.

    If anyone can fix him, I'm sure it's you. Love, a firm hand, and plenty of attention should have him on the road to psychiatric recovery soon.

    On nearly the same front, was it Sand E. that had the counter raiding problem??? Maggie has started doing it and I'm not sure how to break her of it.
  • From:
    Mamallama (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Nov 15 2007
    You can do it.
    I believe in you.
    Hugs, Tiggs
  • From:
    Bookworm (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Nov 15 2007
    I hope you can help this dog. It sounds like he's been treated poorly, really. ;-)